Manning denies charges in memorabilia suit

An angry and emotional Eli Manning has denied providing fake game-used memorabilia to a collector, insisting he will be vindicated. Manning addressed the accusations on Thursday.

An angry and emotional Eli Manning has denied providing fake game-used memorabilia to a collector, insisting he will be vindicated.

Manning addressed the accusations on Thursday after a plaintiff in a 2014 lawsuit recently filed a motion to compel testimony that included an email from Manning to a team equipment manager asking for two helmets that could pass as game-used items.

The two-time Super Bowl MVP refused to discuss the specifics of the civil case, which is scheduled to go to trial in September in state Superior Court in Bergen County,

“I will say I have never done what I have been accused of doing,” Manning said at a Giants offseason availability. “I have no reason nor have I had any reason to do anything of that nature. I have done nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide, and I know when this is done everyone will see it the same way.”

Manning said he can handle people attacking him for his play. Attacking his integrity is something else, and his voice reflected that he was upset.

“I think my track record of how I have handled myself since I have been here in New York since 2004 speaks for itself,” Manning said. “I have tried to do everything with class and be a standup citizen. That’s what I have done.”

Sports memorabilia collector Eric Inselberg of Short Hills sued Manning, Giants co-owner John Mara and others in 2014, alleging they engaged in a scam to sell fake “game-worn” equipment for profit. He also asked that the NFL team be held accountable for the lies that led to his indictment on federal changes that ruined his business.

Schedule released

One of the spoils of being champion: The New England Patriots will kick off the NFL season on Sept. 7 by hosting the Kansas City Chiefs.

New England earned that honor with its record comeback to beat Atlanta in the Super Bowl. Its opening opponent in a Thursday night game won the AFC West last season.

The Falcons visit Chicago in their first game.

The rest of the opening weekend will feature what seems like a yearly occurrence, with Dallas hosting the New York Giants on Sunday night. They finished 1-2 in the NFC East in 2016.

On Monday night, New Orleans is at Minnesota, followed by the Chargers, in their first game representing Los Angeles since 1960, at Denver.

Five games will be held abroad, beginning with Baltimore vs. Jacksonville in London on Sept. 24. The next week, Miami hosts New Orleans. In Week 7, the Rams host the Cardinals, followed the next week by Minnesota vs. Cleveland.

New England is the visitor against Oakland at Mexico City on Nov. 19.

Thanksgiving’s traditional games will have Minnesota at Detroit and the Chargers at Dallas. In prime time, the Redskins will be home for the Giants.

Christmas weekend will be busy. Two Saturday matches have Indianapolis at Baltimore in late afternoon, Minnesota at Green Bay at night on Dec. 23. Most of the rest of the schedule will be played on Dec. 24, with no night game. On Christmas Day, Pittsburgh will go to Houston in a late-afternoon matchup, followed by Oakland at Philadelphia.

The season ends when 2017 does, on Dec. 31.

Pierre-Paul surgery

Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul says the injury that sidelined him late last season was more serious than a sports hernia.

Speaking at a team availability, Pierre-Paul said surgeons fixed two spots in his abdomen and two in his groin in December.

The 28-year-old, who was signed to a four-year, $68 million contract in the offseason, said he is running and taking part in every activity at the team’s OTAs, which started Tuesday. He isn’t sure whether he will be ready for minicamp and training camp.